KFC’s Boxbomber set brings Masterpiece-style Beastbox and Squawktalk cassettes for just $35. This is the last monthly third-party roundup, with Mastershooter Collectibles’ not-Targetmasters and iGear’s Dunraker and Cogz packaging also on the table. Hasbro posts high-resolution photos of Generations Springer and Blitzwing. Rob Springer answers a listener question about Dinobots, and Robots in Disguise #15 gets reviewed.
News
High-Resolution Photos of Generations Springer and Blitzwing
Hasbro released new high-resolution photos of the Voyager Class Springer and Blitzwing. One host wishes Hasbro had shown more than one of Blitzwing’s faces. The crew does not mind the Animated-style head gimmick on a Generations toy, since it is optional. One host says it would bother him on a Masterpiece only if it hurt the figure. [Source: not found]
Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters Premieres
Don has seen the first episode and says it is mostly setup. One host thinks the opening could have been two episodes with a third left for story. Another says he really likes Smokescreen as a mellower Hot Rod. Brian has not watched yet and plans a spoiler discussion next week.
Rob Springer Answers a Listener Question
Listener David Polk asks about more Dinobots in the Fall of Cybertron toy line, Dinobots in Transformers 4, and a War for Cybertron DS Grimlock figure. Rob does not expect more Fall of Cybertron Dinobots, since Grimlock is the safe bet in this economy. He doubts Dinobots will appear in Transformers 4, suspecting Michael Bay and others behind the scenes were never keen on them. Rob loves the DS version of War for Cybertron and its Cybertronian tank Grimlock. He doubts a third party will make it, since third parties stick to safe characters. An improved take on the Fall of Cybertron design seems more likely to him.
Comic Review: Robots in Disguise #15
The reviewers have enjoyed Robots in Disguise as a political drama. Oddly, they find it weakest now that the book turns to open war. Prowl’s long monologue stops the plot, and they think it belonged in a trade paperback text piece. They like the brief scene between Jazz and Skybyte. Devastator tearing Superion in half undercuts the setup from issue #14. The issue reveals that Devastator is now fully modular, and the reviewers expect Megatron to try combining and lose his will. They call John Barber’s pacing off this time and compare the issue to a good ReGeneration One.
Third-Party Roundup
KFC Boxbomber: Masterpiece-Style Beastbox and Squawktalk
The CST-03 and CST-04 Boxbomber set shows up right after Brian and JD talked about Masterpiece combiner cassettes last week. At $35 for the pair, it costs less than Takara’s Masterpiece cassette two-packs. One host hopes Grand Slam and Raindance come next, and another hopes for the four Japanese dinosaur cassettes. The crew laughs that the Keith’s Fantasy Club logo copies the KFC logo. [Source: TFW2005]
Fans Toys Quakewave and a Rumored Blaster
Fans Toys’ Masterpiece-style Quakewave, its not-Shockwave, is getting great reviews. The rumored next figure is a Masterpiece-style Blaster. The crew debates whether third parties are racing Takara or just filling gaps Takara has not served. [Source: not found]
Mastershooter Collectibles Not-Targetmasters Production Images
Production and package images are out for Mastershooter Collectibles’ not-Targetmasters. One host has the $45 core four-pack on preorder from Big Bad Toy Store, while another wants them but balks at the price. The crew recalls Fansproject’s earlier Targetmaster partner, Sidearm, and its tsunami-relief version. They like that these add value to toys fans already own. [Source: TFormers]
iGear Mini-Warriors Dunraker and Cogz Packaging
Preview photos show packaging for MW-05 Dunraker and MW-06 Cogz. One host calls Dunraker’s tie-dye deco psychedelic. Another loves Cogz, a not-Gears, and has preordered Veer, the not-Swerve. Prices have climbed from about $20 to $40, and Cogz is already sold out on preorder at Big Bad Toy Store. [Source: TFW2005]
Classic Seeker Weapon Upgrade Kit
A $35 upgrade kit adds more accurate weapons and missiles for the Classics Seeker molds. That covers Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, the Coneheads and Acid Storm. [Source: TFW2005]
Masterpiece Acid Storm and the Fortress Maximus Sticker Sheet
The crew thinks Masterpiece Acid Storm will look great if the colors hold. The Fortress Maximus reissue’s sticker sheet looks like half a day of work. Two hosts admit they rarely apply stickers at all. [Source: not found]
Show Notes
This is the last monthly third-party roundup. Third-party news moves into the regular show from now on. Transformers Rewind returns in about two weeks, with episode 306.
Radio Free Cybertron is the world's first and oldest toy and action figure podcast — broadcasting from the heart of the Transformers fan community since October 1999. What started as a scrappy fan show has grown into an institution, with nearly 1,000 episodes and over 25 years of coverage. Every week, host Brian Kilby and the RFC crew dig into the latest Transformers news, toy reveals, collecting, and everything hitting shelves from Hasbro, Takara, and beyond. No fluff, no hype — just informed, passionate collectors who have been doing this longer than anyone else on the planet. The original. The longest running. Till all are one.